JP2007168165A - Printing processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable printing processing based on preliminary printing and a printing job without requiring a host computer of processing for the preliminary printing. <P>SOLUTION: In starting printing processing by a preliminary printing mode, a predetermined page number is executed as the preliminary printing on the basis of set position information and image quality information. The position information and image quality information based on the preliminary printing result are made changeable (steps 120-130). After this, when input operation to continue the processing is carried out, it is checked whether or not the position information and image quality information are changed. Without the change, the printing processing to remaining pages of pages subjected to the preliminary printing is resumed (steps 132-138). Printing processing based on the preliminary printing and preliminary printing result can be carried out without requiring the host computer of special processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs printing processing based on a print job using recording paper such as continuous paper or cut paper, and more specifically, when performing continuous printing processing on a large amount of recording paper. The present invention relates to a printing control method.

  In an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a printer) that forms an image on a recording medium such as a recording sheet, a continuous sheet having a predetermined width is used instead of a sheet (cut sheet) cut to a predetermined size such as A4 size. Some perform print processing (print processing).

  Such a printer is used for, for example, a form printing that prints information for each customer input from a host computer on a continuous sheet of a preset form to create an invoice, etc. Print processing is possible.

  On the other hand, when performing a large amount of print processing using continuous paper or cut paper, whether or not the print quality such as print density is appropriate is confirmed in advance, or when performing print processing using continuous paper, In addition to the print quality, it is checked whether the print position is an appropriate position for the form.

  For example, when a continuous paper or the like is set, if a physical deviation occurs in the set position, the interval of information such as characters, images, and barcodes on the printed matter is changed or shifted. For this reason, prior printing that confirms the print position and print quality is important prior to the actual printing process.

  That is, by performing pre-printing, when it is necessary to perform a large amount of printing processing in a short time, it is possible to prevent a large amount of printed materials with poor printing quality or printed materials with shifted printing positions from being generated. Loss of time that occurs can reduce the loss of consumables.

  By the way, when performing pre-printing, there is a method in which data for several pages is transmitted from the host computer for test printing, and the printer performs a printing process on this data, and a method in which an operator instructs a pause process during printing. is there.

  In the former case, it is necessary to provide pre-print application software or prepare pre-print data in advance. In the latter case, if there is a need to change settings related to print quality such as print density or adjustment of the print position as a result of prior confirmation, the job is canceled and new data (job) is sent to the host computer. It is necessary to have you send again from.

  In particular, in form printing, an operator who operates a host computer that is a mainframe performs a large amount of database processing on the host computer and then issues a print instruction. On the printer side, another operator In many cases, operations such as setting, taking out, and supply of consumables are performed.

  For this reason, in order to perform pre-printing by the above-described method, for example, it is necessary for the operator on the printer side to make a pre-confirmation, notify the result of the pre-confirmation, It is necessary to request processing. In other words, it is possible to adjust the print position or print quality as a result of pre-printing, request transmission of data for new pre-printing for confirmation of the adjustment result, and execute print jobs after pre-printing is completed. When this happens, it is necessary to request transmission of a print job, and troublesome processing is required between the host computer side and the printer side before actually executing the print job.

  From here, after sending data for trial printing from the host computer, the data transmission processing is temporarily stopped, and after confirming the printing result on the printer side, a request for data transmission processing or processing for deleting the transmitted data is issued to the printer. A proposal has been made that the host computer executes processing based on this request by transmitting to the host computer (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Thereby, troublesome operations such as information exchange and information transmission between the host computer side and the printer side when performing pre-printing can be reduced.

However, even in the proposal of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to perform data transmission for pre-printing prior to data transmission of a print job, and it is not always possible to reduce the data transmission operation on the host computer. There's a problem.
JP 2001-236190 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described facts, and an object of the present invention is to propose a print processing method that allows prior confirmation and efficient print processing without requiring operation on the host computer side. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a print processing method for performing continuous print processing on a predetermined sheet based on a print job, wherein the print job is stored in a storage means and preset. Print processing after executing a predetermined amount of print processing as a pre-print using the print job stored in the storage unit based on the position information of the print position or the image quality information of print quality The position information or the image quality information can be changed based on the printing result of the pre-printing, and an instruction to restart the printing process for the paused print job has been made. Sometimes, the printing process of the print job excluding the predetermined amount is resumed.

  According to the present invention, the print job is stored in the storage unit, the printing process for the preset number of pages is executed as the pre-printing, and the setting of the position information or the image quality information is changed based on the printing result of the pre-printing. Make it possible.

  When pre-printing is completed and print processing based on a print job is performed, print processing for pages other than the page applied to pre-printing is performed.

  Accordingly, it is not necessary to read the print job again to perform pre-printing, and the print result of the pre-print can be used as the print result of the print job.

  In the present invention, when the position information or the image quality information is changed based on the printing result of the pre-printing, the pre-printing is executed again based on the changed position information or the image quality information. It is characterized by doing.

  According to the present invention, when the position information or the image quality information is changed based on the printing result of the pre-printing, the setting result can be confirmed by performing the pre-printing again.

  Furthermore, the present invention resumes the printing process of the print job excluding the predetermined amount when no change in the position information or the image quality information based on the processing result of the printing process is detected after the pre-printing. It is characterized by doing.

  According to the present invention, when the setting of the position information and the image quality information is not changed, the printing process based on the print job is started, and the print result of the pre-print is used as it is as the print result of the print job.

  Thereby, the efficiency of the printing process based on the print job can be improved.

  In the present invention as described above, the preliminary printing starts printing processing of a new print job.

  According to the present invention, when a new print job is executed, pre-printing is performed, for example, when a sheet on which a form is recorded is used, a sheet error in which a printing process is performed on a sheet having a different form, etc. Can be prevented by pre-printing.

  In the present invention, when the paper is continuous paper, the pre-printing is executed after the continuous paper is replaced.

  According to the present invention, when using continuous paper, a physical misalignment may occur, and the occurrence of misalignment of the printing position due to this can be prevented.

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the pre-printing is executed when a printing process stopped during the printing process based on the print job is started.

  According to the present invention, the pre-printing is executed when the printing process stopped due to an error or the like generated in the image forming apparatus is started. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a shift in the print position due to the removal of a jam or the like, or a change in print quality due to replacement of consumables such as toner.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the print job is stored in the storage unit, and pre-printing is performed using the print job, and after the pre-confirmation based on the pre-printing is completed, printing excluding the pre-printing is performed. Execute the process. This eliminates the need for special data for pre-printing, and eliminates the need to read the print job again after pre-printing is complete, eliminating the need for host computer processing for pre-printing. Excellent effect is obtained.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a print processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a printer 10) as an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  The printer 10 includes a controller unit 12 that comprehensively controls the entire printer and a printer engine 14 that executes print processing.

  The controller unit 12 includes a CPU 16, a ROM 18, a RAM 20, and an HDD 22, and includes a microcomputer having a general configuration in which these are connected to a bus 24. As a result, the controller unit 12 can execute processing based on various programs stored in the ROM 18 or the HDD 22.

  The controller unit 12 is provided with a host I / F unit 26 and an engine I / F unit 28, and the host I / F unit 26 and the engine I / F unit 28 are connected to the bus 24.

  The printer engine 14 is connected to the engine I / F unit 28, whereby the controller unit 12 controls the printing process and the printing process in the printer engine 14.

  The printer engine 14 can apply a general configuration for performing a printing process based on print data input from the controller unit 12. Further, the printer engine 14 applied to the present embodiment uses continuous paper as recording paper, and performs printing processing while conveying the continuous paper at a constant speed.

  Thus, the printer 10 is a so-called continuous paper printer capable of printing processing such as form printing. Note that such a printer engine 14 may be applied with a general configuration in which, for example, an electrophotographic process is applied to a continuous paper transported along a predetermined transport path to form an image according to print data. The detailed description of the printer engine 14 is omitted here.

  On the other hand, a host computer 30 serving as a mainframe is connected to the host I / F unit 26, so that the printer 10 can perform print processing based on a print job output from the host computer 30. It is possible.

  A printer controller may be provided between the printer 10 and the host computer 30, and the host computer 30 and a plurality of printers 10 may be connected. In addition, an RIP device is provided between the printer 10 and the host computer 30, and RIP processing for generating print data (for example, raster data) used for print processing in the printer engine 14 from a print job output from the host computer 30 is performed. The RIP processed image data may be input to the printer 10.

  Further, the controller unit 12 uses the HDD 22 as a storage unit and sequentially reads the print jobs stored in the HDD 22 while storing the print jobs input from the host computer 30 in order, and outputs them to the printer engine 14 as print data. By doing so, the printing process is performed. Here, the HDD 22 is used as an example of a recording unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the print job may be stored in another storage medium such as the RAM 20.

  Such a controller unit 12 is provided with an NVRAM 32, in which various log data acquired during operation of the printer 10 are stored, and at the same time a print position when the printer engine 14 performs a printing process. Setting values of various information (parameters) such as position information for determining image quality and image quality information for determining print quality such as print density are stored.

  On the other hand, the controller unit 12 is provided with a panel I / F unit 34, and the panel I / F unit 34 is connected to the bus 24. Further, the operation panel 36 is provided in the printer 10, and the operation panel 36 is connected to the panel I / F unit 34.

  The operation panel 36 can apply a general configuration in which a touch display or a display and various keys are provided, and the controller unit 12 can perform various input operations based on the display on the display, operation operations of the printer 10, and the like. It is made possible.

  That is, the controller unit 12 displays various UIs (user interfaces) on a display (not shown) of the operation panel 36, and various setting processes can be performed by key operations based on these displays. The controller unit 12 stores various parameter values including position information and image quality information setting values set on the operation panel 36 in the NVRAM 32, and print processing based on the recorded parameter values is performed by the printer engine. 14 is executed.

  For example, the host computer 30 provided as the main frame acquires information for each customer from a database (not shown), generates job data of a predetermined form from the acquired information, and outputs the generated job data as a print job. To do.

  On the other hand, the printer 10 receives the print job from the host computer 30 in a state in which a continuous paper on which a preset form is printed is loaded, and thereby performs print processing based on the input print job. Execute.

  At this time, in the printer 10, for example, printing processing is continuously performed on continuous paper at a printing speed of about 480 pages / min.

  Further, in the printer 10, since the printing position and printing density for the continuous paper are set appropriately, characters, characters, symbol marks, and the like having a proper density in the position according to the form formed on the continuous paper. Printing is possible.

  By the way, in the printer 10, it is possible to select a pre-confirmation mode for confirming the print position on the continuous paper, the print quality such as the print density, and the like. The selection as to whether or not the advance confirmation mode can be executed can be made by displaying a predetermined UI on the display of the operation panel 36.

  Further, in the printer 10, the continuous paper is properly set in the printer engine 14, so that the printing process at the set position of each page of the continuous paper is possible. Further, the printer 10 can adjust the printing position (hereinafter referred to as position information) with respect to the physical positional deviation of the set continuous paper. In the printer 10, a predetermined UI is displayed on the operation panel 36 so that image quality information can be set / changed.

  That is, the printer 10 stores preset values of position information and image quality information in the NVRAM 32, and reads the stored position information and image quality information setting values (hereinafter referred to as position information and image quality information). Thus, the printing process is performed.

  In the controller unit 12, the pre-confirmation mode is set, so that printing that has been interrupted due to an error or the like when a print process based on a new print job is started, or when paper such as continuous paper is switched is performed. The printing process using the prior confirmation mode is executed at a preset timing such as when the process is resumed.

  When the controller unit 12 starts the printing process in the prior confirmation mode, the controller unit 12 executes the printing process for a preset number of pages, temporarily stops the printing process, and the operator of the printer 10 prints the printing position of the preprinted page. In addition, the print quality can be confirmed. In addition, if there is no problem in the print position and print quality from the confirmation result, the controller unit 12 can restart the print process from the next page after the print process. It can be used as a printout.

  On the other hand, if it is necessary to adjust the print position or the print quality from the print result, the position information and the image quality information are changed, and the printing process is executed from the beginning based on the changed position information or the image quality information. To be able to.

  In other words, the controller unit 12 sequentially reads the print jobs stored in the HDD 22 and executes the printing process while storing the print jobs in the HDD 22. At this time, even the image data for which the printing process has been completed can be held, and the controller unit 12 reads the data used for the printing process in advance confirmation from the HDD 22 again. The print process is executed.

  Note that such confirmation of the printing result and resumption of printing may be performed by, for example, the printer engine 14 having completed at least the fixing process for the pages necessary for confirming the printing result, thereby opening the cover of the apparatus. Can be confirmed.

  In addition, when the printing process for a predetermined page is performed, the continuous paper may be preliminarily fed so that the printed page is discharged. In this case, the printer engine 14 reverses the preliminarily fed continuous paper. It is sufficient if the printing process is resumed from the top of the non-printed page.

  A known configuration can be applied to the conveyance of the continuous paper and the confirmation of the print page.

  Here, an outline of a printing process using a prior confirmation mode applicable to the printer 10 will be described.

  FIG. 2 shows an outline of determination processing for determining whether or not to execute print processing to which the prior confirmation mode is applied. This flowchart is executed at a preset timing when the printer 10 is operating. In the first step 100, it is confirmed whether or not the pre-check mode is set. If the advance confirmation mode is not set, a negative determination is made in step 100, and the flowchart is terminated to execute the printing process in the normal mode.

  Here, when the advance confirmation mode is set, an affirmative determination is made in step 100, and the process proceeds to step 102. In this step 102, it is confirmed whether or not an instruction to start execution of a new print job is given. Further, in step 104, it is confirmed whether or not the continuous paper is changed due to out of paper. Further, in step 106, the printer engine 14 confirms whether or not the interruption of the printing process due to an error such as a paper (continuous paper) conveyance failure (such as a jam) or out of toner has been solved.

  Here, for example, when continuous paper is switched, an affirmative determination is made in step 104 and the process proceeds to step 108.

  In this step 108, it is set so that the advance confirmation process is executed when the printing process is started.

  In other words, the controller unit 12 changes the print position and print image quality, such as starting a print process based on a new print job, starting a print process that has been stopped due to an error when a continuous sheet is switched, and so on. When there is a possibility that this will occur, the prior confirmation process is executed.

  Here, an example is shown in which printing processing is performed using continuous paper. For example, when printing processing using cut paper is performed, step 104 can be omitted. Here, the pre-check process is executed at the start of a new print job, after the continuous paper is switched, and after the error process. However, conditions for executing the pre-check process are set in advance. In such a case, the prior confirmation process may be executed when the setting condition is met.

  FIG. 3 shows an outline of the printing process in the prior confirmation mode (preliminary confirmation process). This flowchart is executed by proceeding to step 108 in FIG. 2. In the first step 120, the setting of the position information and the image quality information is locked so as not to be changed, and in the next step 122, the set position information is set. And image quality information is read out.

  Thereafter, in step 124, a printing process for a preset number of pages is executed based on the read position information and image quality information, and the printing process is temporarily stopped (step 126).

  At the same time, in step 128, the position information and the image quality information are unlocked, the setting of the position information and the image quality information can be changed, and the position information and the image quality information are set / displayed on a display (not shown) of the operation panel 36. The UI to be changed is displayed (step 130).

  This makes it possible to change the settings of the position information and image quality information based on the print result. For example, when the print position needs to be adjusted from the processing result, the position information can be changed, and the image quality such as the print density can be changed. If adjustment is necessary, the image quality information can be changed.

  On the other hand, the operation panel 36 is provided with a Continue key (not shown). In Step 132, it is confirmed whether or not this Continue key has been operated. The operator of the printer 10 operates the Continue key when the change of the position information and the image quality information based on the printing result is completed. When there is no need to change the position information and image quality information from the print result, the Continue key is operated as it is.

  As a result, when an affirmative determination is made in step 132, the process proceeds to step 134 to lock the setting of position information and image quality information. Thereafter, in step 136, it is confirmed whether any of the position information or the image quality information has been changed. If a change has occurred, an affirmative determination is made in step 136 and the process returns to step 122 to change the changed position information. And pre-printing based on the image quality information is executed again.

  In this way, when the printing result of the pre-printing is corrected and the setting of the position information and the image quality information is not changed, a negative determination is made in step 136 and the process proceeds to step 138. Start normal print processing.

  In other words, in the printer 10, the last print result used for the prior confirmation is set as a normal print output, thereby shortening the print processing time and suppressing the unnecessary loss of continuous paper. Yes.

  As described above, the printer 10 can execute pre-printing without requesting data for pre-printing from the host computer 30 when it is possible to obtain a printed matter with a proper finish.

  In addition, the printer 10 saves the print job transmitted from the host computer 30 in the HDD 22 and performs pre-printing, thereby requesting the host computer 30 to delete the transmitted print job or to retransmit the print job. Accordingly, it is possible to subsequently execute a printing process based on the print job.

  Here, if the position information or the image quality information is changed, the printing process for confirming the change result is executed. However, in practice, a change is made so that there is no problem. May be. At this time, if a printing process for confirmation is performed, it may be determined that the printing time is prevented from being shortened or the printing cost is increased.

  From here, it may be left to the user to make a final decision as to whether or not to perform a printing process for confirmation. FIG. 4 shows an example of processing at this time. 4 that are the same as those in FIG. 3 described above are assigned the same step numbers, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  The operation panel 36 is provided with, for example, an execution key (not shown) together with the Continue key, and the controller unit 12 displays a UI that allows the setting of the position information and the image quality information to be changed at Step 130. At 132, it is confirmed whether or not the Continue key has been operated. On the other hand, when the Continue key is not operated and a negative determination is made at Step 132, the routine proceeds to Step 140, where it is confirmed whether or not the execution key has been operated.

  Here, when the operator who operates the printer 10 determines that there is substantially no problem in the print position and print quality and the setting change is slight, the execution key is operated.

  Thereby, in this flowchart, an affirmative determination is made at step 140 and the routine proceeds to step 142. In step 142, the setting of position information and image quality information is locked, and in the next step 144, the set position information and image quality information are read.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 138, and normal printing processing is executed from the next page based on the read position information and image quality information.

  As a result, the preprinted page is used as it is as the print output of the print job, and the printing time can be shortened and consumable parts can be saved.

  In addition, this Embodiment demonstrated above does not limit the structure of this invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the printing process using continuous paper has been described as an example. However, the printing process using cut paper may be applied.

  In this embodiment, the printer 10 is used as the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention can be applied to a printer having a general configuration. The present invention is not limited to a printer, and can be applied to an image forming apparatus having an arbitrary configuration such as a facsimile, a copying machine, or a multifunction machine having these functions.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer applied to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the judgment whether a prior confirmation process is performed. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of a printing process when performing a prior confirmation process. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of another example of the printing process when performing a prior confirmation process.

Explanation of symbols

10 Printer (image forming device)
12 Controller 14 Printer Engine 22 HDD (Storage Unit)
30 Host computer 36 Operation panel

Claims (6)

A print processing method for performing print processing continuously on a predetermined sheet based on a print job,
Storing the print job in a storage means;
Based on the preset print position information or print quality image quality information,
Using the print job stored in the storage unit, temporarily executing a predetermined amount of print processing as pre-printing, and then suspending the print processing;
It is possible to change the setting of the position information or the image quality information based on the printing result of the pre-printing,
Resuming print processing of the print job excluding the predetermined amount when an instruction to resume print processing for the paused print job is made;
And a printing control method.   When the position information or the image quality information is changed based on the printing result of the pre-printing, the pre-printing is executed again based on the changed position information or image quality information. The print processing method according to claim 1.   After the pre-printing, when the change of the position information or the image quality information based on the processing result of the printing process is not detected, the printing process of the print job excluding the predetermined amount is resumed. The print processing method according to claim 1 or 2.   The print processing method according to claim 1, wherein the pre-printing is performed when a print process of a new print job is started.   4. The print processing method according to claim 1, wherein when the paper is continuous paper, the pre-printing is executed after the continuous paper is replaced. 5.   The printing according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pre-printing is executed when a printing process stopped in the middle of a printing process based on the print job is started. Processing method.

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